Creating Loops
Loop recording is where Meiji Sampler stops being a browser and starts behaving like an instrument.What this stage is for
Use loops to:- capture pad performances
- build patterns
- overdub layers
- establish an initial BPM for the session
Core loop model
Each loop slot can hold:- recorded events
- a duration
- mute state
- quantization settings
[R] before the first loop, First Loop Setup opens so you can choose Fixed or Auto recording.
Fixed is the default. The dialog shows Mode: FIXED TEMPO, then Start with a blank loop of fixed tempo & duration, then [SPACE] to tap tempo, [ENTER] to record. It records into the selected Length, starts at 90.00 BPM, initializes Quantize from Settings with OFF as the default, turns on a 4 BEATS record count-in, and uses a REC + PLAY click. Use this when you want a clean count-in and a known project tempo before playing. Highlight Tempo to type a BPM directly, or press [SPACE] anywhere in First Loop Setup to tap tempo, hear the metronome click, return the dialog to Fixed mode, and focus Tempo. During a Fixed take, the loop details view shows the full selected Length with a moving playhead. [ENTER] can end recording early; the committed loop still keeps the selected fixed Length and waits in OVR+ until the next fixed interval so overdub continues on the first cycle instead of shrinking to the early stop time.
When a loop is ARMED and the record count-in is on, a pad or chop key plays immediately and starts the count-in; [SPACE] starts the same count-in without an initial pad hit. A centered numeric toast counts down once per beat, such as 4, 3, 2, 1 for a 4 BEATS count-in. Pad or chop hits during the final count-in beat are captured at 0:00, so you can play slightly ahead of the downbeat. Earlier hits only update the start signal and are not replayed or recorded when REC begins.
Auto records freely and sets tempo by ending cleanly. Select Mode: AUTO TEMPO, then press [ENTER] to start recording. Press [ENTER] again to end the loop; the first take starts overdubbing immediately as the loop cycles. Auto keeps Length flexible while still applying the dialog’s Quantize, Count-in, and Click choices. The loop details view keeps expanding with elapsed time until you end the take. Meiji Sampler infers the BPM from the completed first loop automatically. [ESC] cancels the dialog without arming recording. If the pad that starts the first recording has LOOP on and the take ends within 10% of an exact number of that pad’s loop cycles, Meiji Sampler snaps the first loop length to that anchor so the project tempo lands cleanly. If you want the whole project to play faster or slower later, adjust Settings → Tempo. See Quantization And Swing for details.
Core controls
1-9and0select and control loop slots- on an empty slot, the slot number arms recording
- when no loop transport is playing, a stopped slot number cues that loop, and the same number stops a cued loop
- while loops are playing, a playing slot number queues
STOP+at the loop boundary, and pressing the same number onSTOP+stops immediately [SPACE]starts cued or armed loop transport, starts the only stopped loop immediately when one recorded loop exists, or stops active loop and overdub transport[R]opens First Loop Setup before the first loop, then arms recording or punches into overdub after a timing source existsEnteropens the sequence editorqopens quantizemmutes a loopdduplicates a loopeextends a loopShift+Hshortens the loop by half
Press [R] to record a Loop as a persistent toast instead of placing the prompt inside the loop details panel. During recording, the persistent toast changes to Press [ENTER] to save, [ESC] to retry; retry returns to the armed pad or count-in prompt.
Basic flow
- focus a loop slot
- arm recording
- play pads
- close the take
- listen to the loop repeat
Why loops matter
Pads are for playing. Loops are for programming. Once a loop exists, you can:- layer on top of it
- build scenes from it
- edit its tracks
- quantize or mute specific material